When Roman Abramovich first bought the club there was a sense of excitement that a club other than Manchester United and Arsenal was going to challenge for the top honours.

And there was a sense of awe when they started to buy up some of the best talent from around the world.

They turned from also rans to major players in a matter of months.

But I think that as quickly as they rose to the top, they could slide back down into the pack if certain issues are not addressed.

The fans, many of whom were not bothered enough to turn up pre-Abramovich, clamoured at the start of the season for the removal of Jose Mourinho.

The football, despite being successful, was not what they wanted to see.

Enter Avram Grant, with little experience and even less of a reputation to manage the team.

The style of football has improved little and he lost the Carling Cup final.

But the real problem is that the players are briefing journalists in the national Press against the boss.

Reports of meetings from which the manager is excluded abound.

And they have made it abundantly clear that they are unhappy with the selection of the team and the tactics employed.

Clearly no one is going to say anything publicly as further rumours suggest that it is in fact the owner and not the manager who is picking the team.

It all seems to be unravelling rather quickly.

They are still in the hunt for the title but who, apart from Rafa Benitez, wouldn't be able to get a squad studded with star players into the top three of the league at the moment?

So I return to the initial question - how should we react to the problems at Stamford Bridge?

For me it is with a wry smile on my face.

The club is built entirely on sand.

It was not built gradually like Ferguson's United or Wenger's Arsenal. It is a top heavy club without foundations and likely to crumble the moment either the players become too powerful of, probably far worse, the owner gets fed up.

Grant has moved to allay fans' fears by denying all the rumours.

But you get the feeling the soap opera will rumble on for some time yet.

John Hartson has rejected the chance to join the managerial merry-go-round despite an offer from Scottish third division side East Stirlingshire, the first club Sir Alex Ferguson managed.

The former Celtic and Wales hitman said the timing was not right - I suggest it would be the perfect place to start.

The Firs Park side have finished bottom of the pile north of the border in each of the last five seasons and are only off the foot of the table this time round on goal difference.

Should they finish bottom again their place in the league would be under threat due to a rule, introduced in 2005-06 that says any club finishing bottom for three successive seasons will be dismissed.

If he could help them avoid such a fate he it would be a considerable feather in his cap.

If he could not, few would be surprised.

dave.fletcher@halifaxcourier.co.uk